USA > Indiana > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Indiana : With historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Volume II > Part 24
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BERTRAM W. SWACKHAMER.
An enumeration of the representative citizens of Clinton county, Indiana, would be incomplete without specific mention of the well known and popular gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. A member of an old and highly esteemed family, and for many years a public-spirited man of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon the community in which he lives and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been scrupulously honest in all his relations with his fellow men and leaving no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that of his neighbors and friends, consequently he has won the favor of a great number of Clinton county people where he maintains his home.
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Bertram Swackhamer was born July 22, 1880, in Hocking county, O., the son of Frank and Della (Quigley) Swackhamer, both natives of Ohio. The father moved to Indiana in 18844 and stayed here a number of years and then returned to his native state where the family stayed for about five years, then again came to Indiana. He is still living in Madison county, enjoying a hearty old age. The mother likewise is still living. Frank Swackhamer was a farmer all of his life, and consistently remained an adherent of the Republican party. Four children blessed the union: Bessie, Bert, Clifford and Laura.
The subject of our sketch was fortunate in receiving a common school education, and then, after he completed the scholastic phase of his life, he began the pursuit of general farming. In this capacity he has remained ever since. He also makes a specialty of stock raising, taking particular pride in his breed of Duroc hogs. He owns one hundred and eleven acres of very tillable land, all well tiled but about five acres. The place is in a fairly good state of improvement. At the present time Bert Swackhamer resides on and rents his father-in-law's farm.
On August 17, 1899, our subject entered into matrimony, choosing for his helpmeet Jennie Bond, born in Kirklin township, June 22, 1881, the daugh- ter of George E. and Ella (Wells) Bond. Three children have come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Swackhamer: Josephine, born in 1904: Mary, born in 1907; and Georgie, born in 1911.
Politically, Mr. Swackhamer is a Republican. He is affiliated with no fraternal organizations, preferring to give his entire attention to his home and family.
J. W. WILLS.
Conspicuous among the representative business men and public-spirited citizens of Clinton county is the gentleman whose name heads this review. He has made his influence a good one in Kirklin township, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has ever been closely allied with the interests of the com- munity in which he lives, and whose career has been that of a man of moral character. honesty, and excellent social qualities, and whose efforts have been for the betterment of the members of the Clinton county citizenship.
J. W. Wills was born June 15, 1858, in Clinton county, Ind., the son of Charles and Nancy ( Rice) Wills. Charles Wills was born in the Buckeye
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state in 1831, and came here, when four years old, with his parents. He died July 5. 1906. The mother was born and died in Clinton county. The father was a farmer in early life, but in later days became a tanner. He was a Demo- crat. Twelve children comprised his family, the following are the ones now living : Abraham, M. E., J E., J. W., II. M., and H. F.
J. W. Wills received a common school education in Kirklin township, and entered life in the livery business, which he still carries on in addition to other pursuits.
Mr. Wills was united in wedlock to Clara F. McKinsey on December 3, 1902, an Illinois girl, the daughter of John R. and America (Cassady) Mc- Kinsey. No children have been born to them.
In 1906, Mr. Wills went into the hardware business and later added furni- ture to the hardware stock. He now owns a well appointed store that would be a credit to any Hoosier town. He enjoys a lucrative business and in turn aids in any enterprise that may be for the good of his townsmen. He owns the whole business block in which his store is located, besides his livery barn, his pretty and comfortable home, other business blocks, and thirty acres of good tillable land near Kirklin, Ind.
Mr. Wills is a loyal member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kirklin, and contributes liberally to the support of the chapter.
WILLARD C. WILLIAMS.
Among the successful, self-made men of Clinton county whose efforts and influence have contributed to the upbuilding and general business activities of their respective communities, the gentleman of this sketch occupies a con- spicuous place. Being ambitious from the first, he met the various viccissi- tudes and discouragements with a resolute determination, and in due time rose to a prominent position in the industrial circles wherein he was associated, besides winning the confidence and esteem of those with whom he was brought into contact, and today he stands as one of the most prominent men in Clinton county and most influential in Kirklin township.
Willard C. Williams was born on January 2, 1860, in Kirklin township, Clinton county, and was the son of Allen and Mary D. (Harley) Williams. The father was a native of Indiana, being born in Henry county in 1812, and moved to Clinton county when a boy. He died in 1886. The mother was
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born in the state of Virginia in the year 1820, and was brought by her parents to this state when a small child. She died in 1900. They had common school educations in their youth, and chose to follow the occupation of farm- ing throughout their lives. Seven children blessed their life, namely : Jasper (deceased) ; Louisa (deceased) ; Marcello; Martha; Willard, and two who died in infancy unnamed.
Our subject benefited by the common schools in Kirklin township and took up farming afterward as a life work. He has ever since labored in the fields of his fine one hundred and seventy-five acre farm in Kirklin township, and has accomplished much. He makes a specialty of breeding fine stock, chiefly Poland China hogs, in which particular branch he is an expert. His land is all tillable, about a hundred acres of the estate being now in valuable pasture land. He has added all the modern improvements to his farm and has a beautiful and efficient residence thereon.
Willard Williams was married in September, 1880, to Katy R. Harding, the daughter of Samuel and Delilah (Thompson) Harding. (See sketch S. H. Thompson, brother to Delilah). Mrs. Williams received a good common school education in her youth in the schools of her county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, namely : Mrs. Minnie Hendricks, born 1882; Charles B., born 1884, married Eva Sims; and Floyd, born February 7, 1890, married to Blanche Childers.
Fraternally, Mr. Williams belongs to the Masonic Order and Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, both lodges at Kirklin. He is a Republican and at one time held the office of road supervisor in his county.
EDWARD EARL TOMPKINS.
Statisticians and historical writers, in summing up the control of the country's resources, do not place the stock handlers of Wall street in the rank of masters, the motive power of the national prosperity, but they regard the agriculturist, the native tillers of the soil, as the ones who propel the nation's destiny. Their products are juggled and financed in questionable manner, it is true, but it is with them, primarily, that the power is derived whereby the United States may stand as one of the richest and most productive of the world's agricultural countries. It is a pleasure to relate the details of one
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of these hard-working farmers, and the subject of this sketch is worthy of even more than the limits of this work will allow.
Edward Earl Tompkins was born in Champaign county, Illinois, on October 27, 1881, the son of Stephen and Mary Ann (Besore) Tompkins. The father was born in 1844, in Hamilton county, O., and came to Indiana in September, 1910, and has since followed farming. They had three chil- dren, viz. : Minnie May, Edward E., our subject, and Luttie Orvalein. The mother was a member of the Christian church. The father is in politics, a . Democrat. Both reside in Frankfort, retired.
Edward E. Tompkins received his education in the county schools of his home, and later attended the high school. He came to Clinton county in the year 1908, to take up agricultural work, which he has followed all of his life. He formerly managed the excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Kirklin township, belonging to his father and enjoys many advantages of his well kept and modern estate. It is all in the highest tillable condition with the exception of twenty acres which are in pasture.
Mr. Tompkins was united in matrimony to Anna Carry Ford, a young girl born in Miami county, Indiana, September 20, 1880, the daughter of Lewis N. and Laura (York) Ford, and in Miami county she received a common school and high school education. One child has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins-Edward Ford, born July 16, 1911.
Fraternally, Mr. Tompkins is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, both lodges in Frankfort. He is a member of the Christian church and votes the Democratic ticket.
CYRUS M. HANE.
The hand of the journalist is truly mighty. No matter how big or how little he may be, his well-aimed remarks in the town sheet carry double weight, and therefore his mission and responsibility are great. He must be judicious, clever, fair, and ever promoting the interests of the people whom he serves. The Kirklin Journal is a newspaper devoted to the welfare of the Clinton county pople, and carries the name of being a clean, interesting, and modern publication. This has been largely due to the untiring efforts of the publisher, whose name heads this review, and who, by his energetic efforts toward the betterment of the community, has won the friendship and support of the county as a whole.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Cyrus M. Hane was born June 8, 1842, in Harrison county, O. ilis father was a native of Maryland, and served in the Civil war in the First Vir- ginia Infantry of the Union army.
Cyrus Hane received a common school education which was interrupted in 1861, when he was nineteen years old, by the outbreak of the war. Mr. Hane enlisted in Company D, Second Virginia Infantry, under Captain Gib- son. This regiment was afterward changed by the war department to the Fifth West Virginia Calvary. He served the Union cause valiantly for his full time and then was honorably discharged. On February 14, 1865, be re- enlisted in Company G, Second United States Veteran Volunteers. Han- cock's corps, and served until Feb. 14, 1866. Mr. Hane participated in the second battle of Bull Run and several other engagernents.
In 1865 Mr. Hane was married in Mary M. Chapman, who died in 1882. On October 21, 1900, he was again married to Emma Stotts, an Indiana woman. He has one child, Daisy E., by his first wife, and she now resides in Knox, Ind.
Mr. Hane moved to the Hoosier state from Ohio, and first settled in the town of Mitchell, at which place he took charge of the Mitchell Commercial. Later he went to Elwood, Ind., and established the Elwood Leader, and then to Knox, Stark county, Ind., where he assumed charge of the Stark County Republican. After four years there, he again traveled to Vernon, Ind., and had control of the Vernon Journal. He purchased the Kirklin Journal in No- vember, 1902, and for ten years has managed it with great success. A year ago he became associated with E. T. Jones, and they formed a working part- nership which now exists.
Mr. Hane belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Grand Army of the Republic. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian church at Kirklin, and in politics is a Progres- sive.
E. P. Jones, partner of Mr. Hane, was born March 6, 1872, in Jennings county, Indiana, the son of Thomas C. and Lydia S. (Alley) Jones. Thomas C. Jones was a Welshman, having been born in South Wales, England, in February, 1819. He moved to the United States when but a boy and first set- tled in Baltimore, Md. Later he moved to Ohio, at which place he was mar- ried. He came to Indiana in 1854. and there died in the month of July, 1893. Lydia S. Jones, the mother, was born May 8, 1831, in Ohio, and she died October 18, 1887. The father was a wholesale furniture dealer by trade and he followed this all of his life. In the spring of 1861, he joined the ranks of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company
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A, and served until :865 as a first lieutenant : he was then honorably dis- charged. Six children came to his family, four of whom are living. These four are: Margaret, Louise, Mand, and E. P.
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After receiving a common school education, E. P. Jones made his start in a pharmacy college. He took a position with a drug company in Colorado, and afterward, for a space of six years, was connected with the Rocky Mon- tain Telephone company. He has been a capable printer all of his life. and worked at his trade in North Vernon, Ind., just before coming to Kirklin to go into business with Mr. Hane.
Fraternally, Mr. Jones belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, and the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and attaches himself to the Democratic party.
ROSWELL J. STOWERS.
The following is a sketch of a plain, honest business man, who by straight- forward methods and strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made for himself a reputation and won much prestige in the business circles of Kirk- lin, Clinton county. Not in the least seeking for fame, he has, however, many qualities and accomplishments to his credit which are worthy of emulation, , and he commands the respect of all his fellows and their posterity through the sterling characteristics he possesses, heightened by his natural modesty and desire to escape the public gaze. The name of Roswell, our subject, is well known in Clinton county and spoken of with words of commendation.
Roswell J. Stowers was born January 25, 1871, in Kirklin township, Clinton county, the son of Travis and Lucinda (Wolfe) Stowers. Travis Stowers was born in Virginia May 22, 1811, and moved to Indiana in 1828. settling first in Johnson county and then in Clinton county in 1832. He died May 27, 1901. The mother was a native of Kentucky and died September · 16, 1888. Travis Stowers was a farmer all of his life, and made a distinct success of it. Politically he was first a Democrat, and then as a matter of . principle, changed to the Republican party. Mr. Stowers was married three times. By his first wife he had fourteen children, and by his second, five. The · latter five are : Stephen T., Disa W., Sarah A., Roswell J., and Lucinda. No children were born to the third wife.
Our subject was fortunate in his younger days in getting a little better education than the ordinary youth could obtain in the common schools of the
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county. He lived on his father's farm and learned thoroughly the agricultural art, although he never saw fit in his later days to put his knowledge into prac- tice, that is, to any extent. Mr. Stowers went into the fence and post busi- ness in 1897, and in 1905 he moved to Kirklin, and is now operating a coal, fence and post business under the name of Roswell J. Stowers. He owns his yards and his home and office, besides fifty-seven acres of very good soil on the outskirts of Kirklin.
On September 10, 1893. Mr. Stowers was married to Anna F. Trout, who was born in Boone county, Ind., the daughter of Marion and Elizabeth (Cockerham) Trout.
Nine children were born to Mrs. Stowers: Ruth, Jan. 12, 1894; Paul, Nov. 15, 1895; Carrie, Ang. 27, 1897; Lucile, Feb. 25, 1900; died Oct. 18, 1901 ; Mary, Dec. 3, 1901 ; died July 14, 1903 ; Russell, June 14, 1901 : Geneva, March 25, 1908; Genave, May 30, 1910, and Vonita Berniece, June 1, 1912.
Mr. Stowers is a member of the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church, and is a very active member, being the superintendent of the sunday school. Po- litically, he regards the Prohibitionist party as the best.
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MORTON STEPHENSON.
Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently a critical study of the life records of the gentle- man whose name forms the caption of this sketch and his honored father may be beneficial to the reader, for theirs have been careers of usefulness and honor.
Morton Stphenson, farmer of Section 33, Owen township, Clinton county, was born December 13, 1871, in Carroll county, Indiana, but the major portion of his life has been spent in Clinton county, he having been but two years old when his parents brought him here, where he has since resided. He is a son of William and Emeline (Brown) Stephenson. The father was born November 8, 1840, in Butler county, Ohio, where he spent his earlier years, removing to Carroll county, Indiana, after the close of the Civil War, in which he served as a member of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, in which he enlisted on October 7, 1861, under Ceptain Lew Wilson. He proved to be a
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inost faithful and gallant soldier for the Union and saw much hard service, participating in numerous hard-fought battles. He was honorably discharged and inustered out of service October 31, 1864, under Captain Neill. He was promoted to corporal November 10, 1861, and later to sergeant, which rank he held when he was mustered out. William Stephenson was a well educated man and he taught school for a period of ten or fifteen years inost acceptably, but farming constituted his chief life work, and he prospered with advancing years, becoming one of the most substantial and influential men in his con- munity, and at the time of his death he was president of the Rossville Bank, which he helped organize. He also assisted in the organization of the Sedalia Bank. He took an active interest in public affairs and was a political leader in the county for many years. He was honored by his constituents by being elected as representative to the state legislature, serving during the sessions of 1892 and 1893 in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, doing much for the general good of his locality. He was always an uncompromising Republican. Religiously, he was a stanch member of the Presbyterian church, and he held his membership in the same church from the time he came to this state until his death, which occurred on January 10, 1912, when past his three score and ten. He was a grand old man whom to know was to honor and admire, and he did much good in his community in a material, civic and moral way. He was a member of the Masonic Order, and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife was born October 16, 1848, in Carroll county, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood, received a common school education and was married.
To William Stephenson and wife five children were born: Samuel and Belve Retta, both deceased; Morton, of this review; Nancy L., and James A.
Morton Stephenson grew to manhood on the home farm and he worked there during the summer months when he became of proper age. He attended the common schools during the winter months. On November 14, 1894, he married Maggie G. Shaw, who was born in Ross township, Clinton county, August 27, 1874. She is a daughter of P. W. and Catherine (Dellinger) Shaw. The father was born May 26, 1835, in Cumberland county, removing from there to Clinton county, Indiana. Here he married, and here he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming, his death occurring on February 9, 1907. Mrs. Stephenson's mother was born May 22, 1840, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and came to Clinton county, Indiana, at the age of twelve years, and she is still living on the old homestead in Ross township, Clinton county.
Ten children were born to P. W. Shaw and wife: Mary B. (dec), Grant,
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E. L., Florence N., James W., Maggie G., our subject's wife : Daniel R., John F., Harriett, and Jesse (dec.).
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson: G. Loyal, born August 7, 1895, attending high school in Rossville; Opal Zoc, born April 22, 1900, and William Glenn, born May 7, 1911 ..
Mr. Stephenson has always engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing and has met with ever-increasing success. He started out on his father's farm and there got a good foothold, and since his marriage he has lived on his present finely improved and productive farm of one hundred and eighty -. five acres in Section 33, Owen township. All of his land is tillable but about fifteen acres, and on it stands a pleasant and well furnished home and sub- stantial outbuildings He pays considerable attention to livestock, buying and selling large numbers of hogs and raising a good grade of general stock. Politically, he is a Republican and religiously a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias. the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
WALTER S. MERRITT.
The record of the subject of this sketch is that of a young man, who, by - his own efforts, has worked his way from a comparatively humble position to one of influence, honor, and esteem in the community in which he has chosen to live. His career has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the notable methods he has employed have won for him the admiration and confidence of his fellow citizens of Kirklin township, Clinton county, whose interests he has always tried to promote and whose friendships he has always been careful to cultivate.
Walter S. Merritt is a native of Clinton county, born at Scircleville, Ind., on January 2, 1883, the son of L. C. and Dorcas L. (Pruitt) Merritt. Our subject's father was born in Indiana in 1854., and spent his entire life at Frankfort. His mother was also a native of Indiana. L. C. Merritt was a type of a successful man. He began life as a farmer, and by the time he had lived in Frankfort a number of years had won for himself a fine reputation as a gentleman and business man. He was clerk of the Clinton circuit court for eight years, finishing his term in 1912. For six years he was a trustee. Five boys completed his family, namely : E. B., Walter, John P., Hubert, and Lawson.
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Walter Merritt received a common school education and continued after- ward in the high school. He worked on the farm besides his work in school, and later went into the circuit court clerk's office with his father. Ile re- mained in this office for seven years. For one year he was with the State Board of Public Accounts, and then came here to Kirklin, where he took a position as cashier of the first National Bank. He is now holding the same office in a very acceptable manner. This bank was a private one for many years, then became a state bank, and, in 1968, it became a national bank with a capital stock of twenty-eight thousand dollars and a surplus of seven thou- sand. The president is C. B. McClamroch and the vice-president is A. F. Col- grove.
Mr. Merritt belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican in politics.
On November 29, 1907, Mr. Merritt was married to Bessie Hicks, a girl born in Clinton county on December 15, 1887. She is the daughter of William and Margaret (Ballard) Hicks, both natives of Indiana.
GEORGE MUNDELL.
Occasionally, in glancing over the worthy citizens of a community, one perceives certain figures that stand out as types of social and industrial lead- ership. Such a one is, by necessity, versatile and skilled, and helpful to his fel- lows. George Mundell may be called a representative of this type. As a teacher, carpenter and farmer, Mr. Mundell has made his long life a benefit. a pleasure, and a satisfaction to himself, as well as to the others who have been so fortunate as to cross his kindly patlı.
Mr. Mundell comes from old Kentucky stock, from the hardy settlers in the Blue Grass mountains. He is the son of James and Elenore ( Rogers) Mundell, and was born on the seventh of December, 1848, in Jackson town- ship,, Clinton county. His father. James Mundell, was born in the Kentucky hills in the year 1817, before civilization had the opportunity to work much improvement among the people. It was life governed by the long rifle, and justice, more often revenge, was quick. In this man-making life James Mun- dell was reared. Later he married Elenore Rogers, who was born in Clinton county, Indiana, in 1827, and who died in the year 1898. James Mundell moved to Indiana' in 1829, when the well-cultivated fields of what is now Clinton county were but a wild and dense forest, populated mostly by Miami
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